At Gearlimits we are – obviously – crazy about outdoor & action sports gear. We’re also curious about the story behind good products. There always is one. Why do brands produce products in a certain way? How do they determine the choice of materials? How do they feel about durability or safety. That’s what we try to find out in our Inside-Out stories with brands. Here’s what we discovered, and experienced with Bergans of Norway, the Norwegian outdoor brand.

// Bergans of Norway #1 / Van Ole F. Bergans tot Dermizax

In this first video we met with Raoul Ferenschild, Country Manager Benelux.

We talked about how the brand Bergans came to be, the norwegian woord “Türglede” which sits at teh core of what Bergans is all about. We talk about the invention of the first outer frame backpack and about the Dermizax membrane Bergans uses to ensure windproof, waterproof and breathable shell clothing. And during our visit we pick up some of these products which we review later on. The video is in Dutch.

In deze video we met up with Sanne de Jong, the Dutch Teamrider of Bergans of Norway. Sanne is freeskiër en competes in the Freeride World Tourfor women. An off-piste, backcountry, big mountain skiër.

We talk to her about enjoying nature, the physical preparation for the winter season (she shows us a few little exercises) and we look forward to the Bergans Freeride Experience. The video is in Dutch.

In the last installment of our first “Inside out” chapter with Bergans of Norway we join Sanne for a cup of coffee at Bocca Amsterdam after our morning run. This time we talk about what she really needs from her gear as a freerider and why she chose for Bergans of Norway.

// Bergans of Norway #4 / The Bergans Freeride experience

After our meetings and talks in holland with Raoul Ferenschild and Sanne de Jong it was time to get down to business. To really see if the promises of the products of Bergans would be kept.

We headed to Kleinwalsertal in Austria, where Sanne and Bergans organise the yearly Bergans freeride experience. Four days in which winter sports enthusiast can get a real feel of what freeriding is all about.

// Bergans of Norway #5 / Outside is always nearby

Stijn van Oss is ambassador of Bergans of Norway. He is a real outdoorsman, woodworker, artist and fanatical skier. We met him in his humble shed in the Netherlands where he explained how working his kuksa’s for him was a clear metaphor for the outdoor way of life.

// Bergans of Norway #6 / Outside is always nearby part 2

In our second and lest video with Bergans of Norway, Stijn van Oss took us on a short adventure to the Belgian Ardennes. Green, lush, forests, slightly cold and a bit wet. But also a warm fire with the guys, freshly ground coffee and good conversation. And as for the wet and cold: if you wear good clothing, you’re ok.

Bergans & Dermizax

Bergans makes use of the Dermizax membrane for her products. Dermizax performs both breathable and waterproof, similar to Gore-Tex. The difference is about it mainly in the fit. Products that come with the Dermizax membrane generally feel a bit smoother. Another great advantage over Gore-Tex, for example, is that Dermizax has no micropores. In addition, Dermizax is extremely elastic.

Bergans of Norway

Bergans of Norway is the biggest outdoor brand in Norway, founded in 1908 by Ole F. Bergan. Bergans develops products that are both technically and functionally fashionable and are a very common site in the streets of Norway. Bergans clothing is specially developed for all outdoor activities, from skiing to mountain climbing and hiking. What Bergans of Norway distinguishes from many other brands is the use of Dermizax, the Bergans Element and Merino wool. Besides clothes, Bergans of Norway also develops hardware like tents, backpacks, backpacks, sleeping bags and Ally canoes.

In addition to quality products, social responsibility is at the heart of Bergans of Norway. For example, Bergans or Norway is thanks to the Bergans eco-design system partner of bluesign. More and more organic cotton is being used and Bergans was one of the first members of the European Outdoor Conservation Association.